| 摘要 |
An inventive Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol for powerline networking systems is described. The inventive MAC protocol controls access to and use of a physical medium (power lines) in a powerline networking system. The MAC protocol method and apparatus includes a methods of providing "blanking intervals" in which devices using newer versions of the protocol "clear out" earlier version devices. The MAC also includes a method of establishing and maintaining "virtual circuit" connections between selected devices on the network. The virtual circuits can be established in powerline networking systems not having a central controller. A method of assigning unique Logical Network Identifiers (LNIs) to logical networks in the powerline networking system is also described. A means for creating, managing and distributing network encryption keys is also described. |
